These two are renowned to be exquisite wines. Because in TN we can't have wine delivered and to date, I don't see any restaurants carrying the wines, what is the best way to experience these wines? I can't afford to buy bottle on my own and even if I could, how can I best choose vintage? (That's two questions. :)) Wondering if I shouldn't ask one of the wine bars to hold tasting? What are your thoughts on how to experience these premium wines?
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
Price alone puts glamorous icons such as Château Palmer (Margaux) and Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac) out of reach of most people, or at the very least they are a very occasional indulgence. These two wines are truly among the elite of Bordeaux - and the larger world of wine. There is as well the matter of availability, as wines such as these are allocated by the properties to brokers and shippers, who in turn dole them out in precious amounts to favored customers. The total quantities produced are very small, particularly in relation to demand worldwide (at least for the best vintages). These two examples are especially difficult to obtain. It's not likely that a local wine bar would offer a tasting, as they might have difficulty sourcing the wines and their cost could well be prohibitive. Try to locate a lower priced vintage currently offered in a nearby state. Since TN laws prevent an out-of-state seller from shipping to you, plan a car trip to pick up a bottle. There are random vintages of Palmer selling for around $200 per bottle if you search online. Lafite is even more challenging to locate in any vintage and will cost far more, unfortunately. If you have any plans to travel to California or New York City, there is somewhat better availability, and you might buy a bottle in advance and drink it during your stay. But it will still cost a handsome sum. On the other hand, the cost is less than making a trip to Bordeaux and signing up for a tour which might take you to one of these estates. In short, there aren't any easy ways to taste these luxury wines without paying the price - unless, perhaps, you know someone who is a collector and might share a glass!
